Best of E3 2015 – Day Two: Graphics, Tech, Trailer

Over the next six days, Hardcore Gamer will be revealing its Best of E3 2015 Awards leading up to our Game of Show. Today we present you with the Best of Graphics, Tech and Trailer:

Best Graphics: Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End

If there was ever a studio to prove just how powerful the PS4 architecture is, it’s Naughty Dog. With such formidable competition at E3 2015, Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End’s graphics needed to be be jaw-dropping to leave the competition behind. Thankfully, they were. With beautiful vistas, detailed models and textures, and procedural destruction, Uncharted 4 is able to separate itself from the pack. Nathan Drake’s perilous journey to save his brother, Sam, featured gorgeous fire effects, detailed plant animation, top-notch mo-cap, and little details like a clothesline hanging from Drake’s jeep. Little details like this is what pushed Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End well above the competition.

Runner-Ups

Cuphead

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

Ghost Recon: Wildlands

Best Tech: Xbox One Elite Controller

Microsoft has shown a willingness to change its controllers up with each generation. The original Xbox saw them shift away from the giant original controller to the smaller Controller S. The Controller S became the base for the Xbox 360 pad, which remains a standard for PC gaming and is one of the most comfortable pads ever. Its d-pad was flawed though, so after a number of years, Microsoft finally fixed that with a transformable d-pad that gave you both a cross-pad à la Nintendo or the 8-way pad of the 360. The modding scene, like the folks at Scuf, have been changing up Xbox pads forever, and the Elite controller takes that idea and makes it available to the masses for the first time. This controller allows you to swap between a convex disc for complex motions in fighters, or the standard d-pad for platformers or simple uses in shooting games. The sticks and d-pad can be swapped out with magnets, and don’t need any tools. There are also back paddles that rest behind the hand rests and you can remap bump and trigger functions to them. You can also remap any function you want to another button. The Elite controller has a price point of $150, but no firm release date – although a fall release right before the holidays would seem like the most likely scenario.

Runner-Ups

Project Morpheus

Microsoft Hololens

ASTRO A40

SteelSeries P800/PX800

Best Trailer: Mass Effect: Andromeda

An old series went ridin’ out one hot and sunny day. Upon a screen it rested as it went along its way. When all at once a mighty herd of red-eyed gamers saw it. Plowin through the Shrine Auditorium and up a bustlin’ stream. Their ears were on fire and their hands were made of sweat. Their eyes were glossed over and shiny and their hot breath you could feel. A bolt of joy went through them as Bioware thundered through the sky. For they saw the game comin hard and shouted their excited cries: